He held the baby by his ankle. He dangled in the air. Mothers were crying, "He's mine! No he's mine!" "I can settle this", Thought the king. " We shall split the child in half then each mother can have half a child. "No",screamed the genuine mother. "She can have him."
For a moment the lying mother smiled. For a brief moment she appeared as if she had won her deceitful game. For a split second the true mother thought as if her world had caved in and she had lost her child by giving him up. The court room silenced. Two mothers...one child. The king had no d.n.a evidence to go by. The king heard no attorney to plead each case. The king was the deciding factor in three fates; the infant, the birth mother and the kidnapper.
1 Kings:3 tells us the story of two harlots that both have a baby boy but one of the babies died because the mother rolled over on him. So the grieving mother stole another prostitutes baby. Both of these women are women of the night. Both appear to be unwed. And both are standing before a king in there sin, asking for mercy and justice.
I am a lover of Justice. I hate it when evil prevails. But I am also aware that mercy must be extended to those who are guilty. But Here's my question. Should mercy look as if an injustice is appearing? If mercy is extended to a rapist, isn't that an injustice to victim? If mercy is offered to a kidnapper, isn't that an injustice to the child and the parents?
King Solomon shows extreme wisdom in this scene. Both of these heathen mothers need a measure of mercy to go before the throne. However, when justice is delivered for the authentic mother, mercy is displayed as well. The king sees the heart of both mothers, he gives the baby boy to his natural mother. This is justice.
But, the instigator of this whole ordeal walks out with out even a fine to pay. She leaves a loser but no punishment is administered. This is mercy.
As I toss to and fro this early morning, my heart is settling on areas of my life that I have seen mercy delivered and justice fail. I have witnessed victims dismissed and tyrants ignored. I don't understand these cases nor do I want to dissect them. Being a lover of justice I believe it can be brought with mercy. Even a death row prisoner has the hope of salvation. The creepiest of sinners has the offer of the blood of the Lamb.
Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
This scripture helps to makes sense out of nonsense. Where is the deciding line of justice and mercy. What does the Lord require of us? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly. The Hebrew meaning of Justly, means "to enter into controversy" We can not change what we will not confront. It is never comfortable but it is rewarding. This is where battles are won and victims are freed. Our eyes must be open to areas of injustices and walk justly and enter into controversy as miserable as it is at times. We can walk justly without judgment.
As for mercy. The Hebrew meaning in this scripture is, "To be kind."
To be kind to the victim as Solomon was with actual mother. And kind to the the one who is guilty, to bring healing and relationship. Mercy, kindness or forgivenss are not condoning the guilty they are cures. Cures for a fallen world. Remedies for broken people. The way Justice works to correct the sinner kindness works to heal them.
Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
Yes entering into controversy and acting justly can usher in Gods kindness.
Humbly standing for a cause.
Humbly showing a another mercy.
Humbly remembering we were once sinners shown kindness in our filth.
